DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES & SOCIALIZATION What happens when - how your puppy changes and develops "Puppies provided with poor socialization or deprived of environmental exposure often develop lifelong deficits and dysfunctional behaviors. A puppy isolated early in life from other puppies and humans will not only fail to establish satisfying social contact with conspecifics or enjoy companionship with people later in life (such puppies are extremely fearful of any social contact), they will also exhibit widespread behavioral and cognitive disabilities as well. Isolated puppies exhibit poor learning and problem-solving abilities and are extremely hyperactive or rigidly inhibited, are emotionally over-reactive and unable to encounter novel social or environmental situations without extreme fear and avoidance, and are socially and sexually incapacitated." - Handbook of Applied Behavior and Training, Steven R. Lindsay Developmental stages Age Learning and Development What you should be doing Early development & reflexive behavior: Neonatal Birth to 12 days Puppy can't hear or see well, stays close to mother and littermates. Breeder provides warm environment. Dr. Michael Fox conducted a study showing mildly stressing puppies during the first five weeks develops dogs which are superior when put in learning or competitive situations. They are better able to handle stress, are more outgoing and learn more quickly. Mild physical stress at an early age will actually increase the size of the brain. Transitional 13 to 20 days Eyes open, puppy can hear, begins to walk in a wobbly fashion.they will begin to hear and will respond to taste and smell. This is the time to introduce novel stimuli to the whelping box such as a plastic milk bottle, knotted towel, cardboard box, etc. This is also a time to introduce puppies to friendly cats. It is important to continue picking up the pups daily, admire them, talk to them, and spend a few minutes with each one individually. 1/6
Primary Socialization begins. Awareness 21 to 23 days Puppy is able to use senses of sight and hearing. Learning begins. It is a time of very rapid sensory development. A stable environment is crucial. It is important not to overload them. Radical changes in the environment must be avoided, i.e. do not move the whelping box! It is essential that the puppy remain with the litter and the mother. Each day introduce a new surface such as concrete, linoleum, wood, carpet, matting, etc. Taking them two at a time will make it less stressful than one at a time. Very mild auditory stimuli is introduced, such as a radio playing quietly. Puppy learns species specific behavior that makes him a dog (biting, chasing, barking, fighting and body posturing. Learning he's a dog: Puppies require plenty of playtime with littermates, so they can socialize. Canine Socialization Primary Socialization - 3 to 5 weeks Secondary Socialization - 6 to 12 weeks "This is especially important for the development of a stable emotional temperament and affective tone. Many social and emotional deficits observed in adult 21 to 49 days Learns to accept discipline from mother and to use submissive postures. Learns not to bite too hard. Learns to relate to other litter mates and develops a pack hierarchy through play. Leaving the litter before 7 weeks can affect the puppy's ability to get along with other dogs later and they will likely have trouble learning to inhibit the force of their bite. Put an open crate in the puppy pen. Clear distinction between sleep and play area should be made. This ensures the puppy can leave his sleeping area to eliminate. This will make housetraining later much easier. Each puppy should have one-on-one individual attention with humans. Take two at a time for short car rides. Occasionally isolate puppies to prepare them for separation. 2/6
dogs are believed to result from removing puppies too early from the mother and littermates." - Steven R. Lindsay Puppy's rate of mental development will now depend on the complexity of their environment. Exposure to a variety of noises and different floor surfaces is important. Begin positive training sessions at 5 weeks. Mother begins to wean puppies between 4-8 weeks, but should be allowed as much time with the pups as she wants. Into a new home with a human family. The 49th day. The brain waves of the puppy are the same as a mature dog, but the puppy is a clean slate. Human Socialization "100 new people by 12 weeks" - Dr. Ian Dunbar, PhD From now to the 16th week of the puppy s life, his basic character is set by what he is taught. This will apply especially to his attitudes toward people and toward his ability to serve them the very best he can." - Pfaffenberger 7 to 12 weeks Puppy should be completely weaned from mother. This is the age when most rapid learning occurs. Greatest impact on future social behavior will be made by any experience that happens at this point. The window of opportunity is closing. Although puppies can continue to learn to be comfortable with new things, it is not as easy. Best time to bring a puppy into its new home is around week 7or 8. "The 49th day" is recommended by Guide Dog raisers and supported by studies. Absolutely critical in which puppy should be socialized - maximize this time! Enroll in a good puppy class! Ideal time to capitalize on educating your puppy. Take into account puppy's physical limitations and short attention span. Fear Imprint Period Experiences a puppy perceives as traumatic during this time are generalized and may affect him all his life. It is a fact that a dog is most likely to develop an avoidance 8 to 11 weeks This falls within the human imprint. Keep training fun. Use short sessions, and keep all training positive. Gentle guidance and management are essential. Set your puppy up to succeed. This kind of mindset will enable you to be successful, as you continue to socialize your puppy. Puppies should not be shipped during this, elective surgery 3/6
response if subjected to physical or psychological trauma during these four weeks. Anything that frightens the puppy during this will have a more lasting effect than if it occurred at any other time. should be put off until the 12th week, and necessary visits to the vet should be made fun. Learning to compete and cope. Seniority Classification Social dominance - 10 to 16 weeks 10 to 16 weeks Puppy has been in the home for approximately six weeks. This is known as the " of cutting teeth and apron strings." Pups will attempt to clarify and resolve where they fit in the group. So long as you provide structure, control and consistency, this transition should be relatively painless. If these things have not been provided, all heck is about to break loose! Flight Instinct Period "Seems to forget everything previously learned." - "How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With" Even if you have done your homework it does not mean your puppy won't go through this - just be aware of it and ride it out. 4 to 8 months This stage can last from a few days to several weeks and can occur anytime during this. A puppy will test its wings. He may challenge you in an attempt to resolve the question of leadership. He may not come when called. It is because of this stage that prevention over cure is advocated -- you must start socializing and training before now! When you notice a change in your dog during this time, he is probably going through his "flight instinct". Like a teenager going through puberty, your puppy is changing physiologically. Your awareness of these changes in behavior will help get you through this commonly difficult. This is the time when obedience schools get most of their calls. Puppies that have not been socialized and worked with take a different path in life than pups that have. Just keep your pup on a leash until this passes. He may not play fetch even though he once did. He will be uncomfortable because his adult teeth are growing in. Be prepared with appropriate chew bones (large enough so that the pup will not choke) to help with your pup's need to chew. Use a long line in the park if your pup is not coming when called. 4/6
Second Fear Period Many dogs will show a rise in their level of aggression (reactivity) during this time. They may become protective and territorial. Incidents of teenage flakiness may recur. 6 to 14 months In large breeds this could extend longer since it is tied to sexual maturity. Incidents may occur more than once. Corresponds with growth spurts. Therefore it may happen more than once as the puppy matures. May suddenly be apprehensive about new things or shy or timid of new people or situations. Most of height growing is over, but pup will start to fill out over the coming year. Puppy begins to mature sexually: male begins to lift leg, and female has first heat anywhere from 6-12 months. Puppy coat being replaced by adult coat, starting down the spine. This is a fear of new situations and are handled with the utmost patience. The dog is encouraged to work it out on his own. If anything, it is better to ignore the whole situation than to reinforce the fear by praising the dog or petting him while he is afraid. When you "reassure" a dog with pets and "it's okay, fella", you are telling him it is okay to be frightened and you are creating a potential problem. If your puppy appears apprehensive, avoid confrontation. Build confidence through training. Avoid any potentially overwhelming circumstances you cannot personally oversee, such as shipping your pup in the cargo bay of an airplane. Maturity Are you done socializing? NO! Like your training efforts, which continue on into adulthood and throughout your dog s entire life, you are never done with socialization. He still needs to meet and greet people, go places with you, and continue to share your world and your experiences, if you want him to continue to be the happy, friendly dog he is today. 1-4 years Refers to sexual maturity as opposed to being full-grown. Smaller dogs mature earlier, larger dogs later. If you were lax in your work earlier on, you may now see the things you have missed: object guarding, unfavorable reactions towards unfamiliar people, animals, or things that your dog missed during the socialization stage. Until this has been reached, it is recommended that your pup remains crated or the equivilent (structure) when you are not available to supervise his behavior. You will know when your dog can be trusted by testing him for short s (10-15 minutes) while you leave the house. If your dog is damaging property while loose, he is not ready. Information gleaned from: "The Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training", Steven R. Lindsay Weimaraner Club of America website, article by Ellen Dodge "The Urban Puppy Toolkit" "How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With." Clarice Rutherford & David H. Neil 5/6
"The New Knowledge of Dog Behavior" Clarence Pfaffenberger Instructor Training Course - Dr. Ian Dunbar, PhD Great article: "It Takes a Pack to Raise a Puppy" - by Suzanne Clothier 6/6